Apprehensive about opening a "good" bottle?

Are any of you apprenhensive or just not ready to open another bottle of "good" bourbon because you know it will be more than you want to spend to replace it?

I have a few bottles of bourbon that, while not overly expensive, I seem to be hard pressed to make myself crack open. I have a bottle of Four Roses Mariage and Single Barrel... a bottle of Bookers and a bottle of Elijah Craig 18. I love them all, but... I find myself enjoying a pour of Jim Beam Black because I just can't bring myself to open the "good stuff" because I don't want to have to replace them.

Re: Apprehensive about opening a "good" bottle?

I go a bit wild with opening bottles, then have far more open than I can drink in a reasonable time. (35 now maybe?).

I only hesitate opening good bottles because I've got a ton of great ones open that need to be consumed! That being said, some other bottles I won't open until I have company or someone else to enjoy them with.

"So long as the presence of death lurks with anyone who goes through the simple act of swallowing, I will make mine whiskey"

Re: Apprehensive about opening a "good" bottle?

Well, that is why I "Ideally" have five bottles of a bourbon before I open one. That way I have one to burn, two to trade, and (if I really like it) two for long term storage, if it is something that is no longer available.

Re: Apprehensive about opening a "good" bottle?

Bourbon is for drinking. Look at it this way: you may die tomorrow. Would you like to have sampled your best Bourbons or would you rather leave them to those who might not appreciate them? There will ALWAYS be another bottle of amazing/must-have Bourbons out there. Better a memory than a regret.

By the way, WsmataU? Ever been to Mark's Duck House in Falls Church? Best Chinese dumplings in the U.S.

Re: Apprehensive about opening a "good" bottle?

Yeah, I plead guilty but I am always looking for a backup to drink.
I will get to these "good" bottles eventually.
I am working on thinning down my bottles and I'm drinking the bottles that I have a lot of duplicates in.
I will add to the rotation some current 4R1B and WTRB to increrase my mileage.
Also as mentioned earlier, if I die tomorrow I won't know anything about it, so no loss.

Re: Apprehensive about opening a "good" bottle?

Originally Posted by mrviognier

Bourbon is for drinking. Look at it this way: you may die tomorrow. Would you like to have sampled your best Bourbons or would you rather leave them to those who might not appreciate them? There will ALWAYS be another bottle of amazing/must-have Bourbons out there. Better a memory than a regret.

By the way, WsmataU? Ever been to Mark's Duck House in Falls Church? Best Chinese dumplings in the U.S.

I can't disagree with any of this.

I haven't been working as well I had been used to, since this "recession" hit, so I have to make due with a lot less whisk(e)y than I'm accustomed to. I'm even worse with my Scotch.

Things seem to be looking up as far as work is concerned, so, I'll probably start stocking up on the better stuff again.

Re: Apprehensive about opening a "good" bottle?

I am getting less apprehensive about opening good bottles. I bought them to drink, and when I'm ready to open them, I do. I opened the R/E 6yo in celebration of losing my job. I'd open any bottle I have for anybody who would appreciate it. The rest of the bottle will remain and I will enjoy it....

Re: Apprehensive about opening a "good" bottle?

Are any of you apprenhensive or just not ready to open another bottle of "good" bourbon because you know it will be more than you want to spend to replace it?

Why do you need to "replace" it? That sounds more along the lines
of a collector and not "just" a drinker.

Originally Posted by ebo

I have a few bottles of bourbon that, while not overly expensive, I seem to be hard pressed to make myself crack open. I have a bottle of Four Roses Mariage and Single Barrel... a bottle of Bookers and a bottle of Elijah Craig 18. I love them all, but... I find myself enjoying a pour of Jim Beam Black because I just can't bring myself to open the "good stuff" because I don't want to have to replace them.

So you want to have the unopened bottles in your "collection" (?)
and never plan to open them? I can understand wanting to have
"rare" bottles to perhaps save for a special occasion or to stockpile
bottlings no longer being produced but to "save" a bottle of Bookers
because you don't wanna replace it - I dunno.

I do have some unopened bottles and will probably let them stay that
way, but if a friend/fellow board member came over and wanted to try
it, I'd crack it open and worry about "replacing" it later. I'd suggest go
ahead and open some and replace them as you can. Chances are you
won't finish the bottle before it's replaced so it's a win-win.